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Topic Review (Newest First)

09-04-2012 11:20 AM

sdarrow

Re: Centerboard Stuck

Hi-

Bought a"Bonito", looked it over well - it's very old but is a really fun sail.

Having left it in the water, I think that the casing for the CB is swollen - took the cb up to my car. I will let the boat dry out - how can I see if there is a crack within the slot walls, or should I just assume that a few cracks at the bottom are sucking up water?

I will try and take some flash pictures down the slot - see what I can see - too bad i don't have a sugical camera ...

My question is, I've read about cbs' liners being made of metal - I think that this was just formed with the entire boat and then dipped in paint. When all was dry, no problem.

After many frustrating tries, I'm getting a little aggressive with trying to pound it in with an oar - and that can't be a good idea!

Thanks for any comments.

11-04-2010 08:45 AM

solman55

Thanks guys and yes while sailing I plan on leaving the keel a little down at all times so that I can get off the sand if I do get stuck a little. I plan on doing as much as I can to learn from here and experience so that I can hopefully make some how to posts to contribute more. I love to sail and this is my first big boat so its going to be a learning experience

11-04-2010 12:33 AM

CalebD

In one sense, your center board IS your depth sounder. It just makes getting off the bottom a lot easier then a winged keel boat.

11-03-2010 11:14 PM

bljones

Good on ya, Solman- I'm proud of you for perservering. What's really cool is that now you have started to tip over the top- from asking for advice to starting to be able to give some, now that you are living the life.

11-03-2010 10:27 PM

solman55

yes I was going to head out this week but the rain and lightning didn't comfort me, I got the depth sounder working, cb working, bright work done, and nav lights going. So thanks

11-02-2010 03:06 PM

CalebD

Congrats. Should make a big difference when trying to point into the wind.

11-02-2010 01:47 AM

solman55

I finally got the board loose, I should have thought about it before, I took the long rope to my wench and pulled it up tight and felt it slip so then I let it down and down came the board. worked out great so now I get to see how the boat does with 7 feet of board instead of 3 shizzam.

08-20-2010 06:24 PM

solman55

hmm good idea, I don't have die gear but it is not to deep so I can do that just a little at a time. The CB model is actually pretty rare, the draft is 3 foot up and 7 foot down. Thanks

08-20-2010 02:18 PM

CalebD

If I am not mistaken you bought a Watkins 27' sailboat.WATKINS 27 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com
The spec sheet on this boat shows that it is a shoal draft boat rather then center board model. Still I would not be surprised if your W27' is a C/B model as builders often vary a few hulls from the general spec.

I would assume that marine growth/barnacles is the reason the C/B is stuck. I'd suggest that the best way to get that growth out of the C/B trunk is mechanically. A long, thin, flat piece of metal would make a good tool for working around the trunk to remove the buggers. Using Scuba gear would make this job much easier or you could hire a diver to help with this.
I have heard of others pouring bleach into the trunk which would likely kill much of the growth but not necessarily remove their shells. It also does not sound so good for the local water quality.

08-20-2010 10:21 AM

solman55

Centerboard Stuck

Hey guys I need some help Ive been trying to address the issue but my centerboard is stuck up and I cannot seem to get her loose. I need some help, I want to avoid pulling the boat its just been a while since the CB has been down and the boat would track tons better with it down, I had a hell of a time had to point high then fall off and keep doing that to get into port. So some advice tips, help or however would be great. If your a Watkins owner in Pensacola that would be great to.
Thanks.